HM's Diamond Olympics Spectacular

Well Her Majesty certainly made my night! Not only did she make her first cameo acting debut (best thing I've ever seen), and 'jumped' out of a helicopter, she also won in my fashion stakes. Watching the 1999 royal wedding of Edward and Sophie, The Queen wore what was confirmed as one of my favourite outfits.

Oh Lilibet, you really do spoil me. She's gone back, if only for a night, to those days of old full of feathery splendour!!

The Greville Chandelier Earrings

From my new blog- http://thewindsorjewels.blogspot.com

In 1929, Mrs Greville, a British society hostess, ordered these striking earrings from Cartier in London. When she passed in 1942, Mrs Greville bequeathed her gems to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother- god bless her. Each earring is made up of 16 diamonds of varying cuts- pear shaped, half-moon, square, trapeze, baguette, baton and emerald-cut.

When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, these earrings were giving to the young bridge as a wedding present from her parents. The Queen wore these earrings quite frequently in the early years of her reign, but now she prefers to wear pearl ones during formal occasions instead. 

Pictures: The Royal Collection

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Hereford and Worcester

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Herefordshire and Worcestershire as part of their Diamond Jubilee Tour. First they visited Hereford cathedral, arriving on a steam train. HM wore a pink tweed coat with a matching hat, and began her visit by unveiling a plaque at Hereford's 12th century cathedral.

The royal party attended the Diamond Day event at the King George V Playing Field before arriving at Worcester. They opened a library called 'The Hive' and went on a royal walkabout. Now the couple will travel to Birmingham as part of their tour.

Pictures: BBC/Daily Mail

My New Blog- All the Queen's Jewels

A blog which will hopefully study the extensive jewel collection of the House of Windsor, featuring pieces from necklaces to earrings to tiaras. Enjoy!

http://thewindsorjewels.blogspot.com.au/

The King Faisal Necklace

From my new blog- thewindsorjewels.blogspot.com


The King of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, gave this necklace as a gift to the Queen in 1967. It is designed in a fringe style, with baguette cut and brilliant diamonds. The Queen wore the necklace at a banquet held in the Queen’s honour in the Dorchester Hotel by King Faisal, who was in Britain for a State Visit. The Queen also lent the tiara to Diana, Princess of Wales, who wore it during a tour of Australia in 1983.

It does, in some ways resemble the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, with its alternating fringe. It is dainty, almost tiny compared to the Russian Kokoshnik Tiara in the picture below, but is very elegant as well. 

Pictures: Chez Chiara/dianasjewels.net

The Tribute to Bomber Command

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family attended the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park. The Royals who attended were: The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent.

It was a poignant service, as a mass was held after the Queen unveiled the memorial (which took her two attempts). A flypast followed, where a thousand poppies were dropped.

Left to Right: The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent, the Earl and Countess of Wessex

Left to Right: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke of York

Pictures: The Daily Mail, The Press Association, The Daily Telegraph

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Enniskillen

Landing in Enniskillen in a helicopter, QE and Prince Philip attended a service for the first time in a Roman Catholic church in Ireland. Dressed in a wonderful blue outfit, embellished with snowflake-like lace. The royal motorcade drove down the bunting-decked main street, lined with thousands of cheering people. She then attended the Irish-themed thanksgiving service at St. Macartin's Cathedral.

 




Pictures: Zimbio/Belfast Times

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Belfast

Now let's all look at the more joyous celebrations in Northern Ireland for QE's Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen and Prince Philip drove through the Stormont Estate in Belfast, in what was a lovely sight as they stood from the car surrounded by thousands of well-wishers. Reminded me a lot of the pope-mobile! She also visited the Titanic Centre and the Lyric Theatre.

Pictures- Zimbio

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Northern Ireland- Martin McGuiness

We've all heard about that historic handshake between the Queen and Martin McGuiness. A meeting between the Commander in Chief of British Forces, and the former IRA leader accused of orchestrating the death of Louis Mountbatten. Mountbatten was widely considered a member of the Royal Family, and was a stand-in grandfather of Prince Charles, a cousin of the Queen and Prince Philip's uncle. He and members of his family were assassinated by a bomb blast whilst holidaying in Northern Ireland. The bomb exploded under the floorboards of his boat on August 27, 1979. 

This is a fascinating documentary of Mountbatten's death, and includes a touching interview with his grandson, Timothy Knatchbull, who was on the boat as the bomb exploded. He says that he was invited to stay with the Queen at Balmoral as he recovered, and she welcomed him with 'motherly love.'

I think that the Queen showed great courage and dignity as she met Martin McGuiness, setting aside personal loss and tragedy as head of state. She is always willing to forgive and reconcile, and is the epitome of grace and peace.

Picture: The Daily Record

Royal Ascot: Day 5

It's over! Royal Hat Christmas is all wrapped up, but not without a final cheeky flourish from QE.

Best in Spring

What an amazing colourful ending by the Queen- loved the colour combo and the multi-coloured hat. The Flame Lily Brooch did look a bit minuscule though. And as Black Caviar's win was a HUGE deal here in Australia, we were lucky enough to have this jovial outfit all over the front page of the paper!

She did channel her inner horse whisperer, which was so touching.

The Curtseying Ladies

Ooh, and Savannah wins this by an INCH. Great to see both ladies in a proper curtsey though.

Nice, bold colour from Bea, but the studded ruffles down her backside? Not a fan. And here's the guys. Great to see Prince Philip, as always, and Prince Michael looking Tsar-y as usual.

Pictures: The Daily Mail/Getty Images/AP

Royal Ascot: Day 4

Finally, finally, QE has a royal winner! Her horse Estimate, decked out in the Queen's racing colours won the Queen's Vase. Ironically, Prince Philip presents the trophy for this race, and so it was a sweet moment when QE received it from her husband, which resulted in me melting.

And to my dismay, that's where her winning streak stops. Unfortunately, she pulled out one of my most hated outfits- the wonky cake. The coat is nice, but the hat is oh so out of proportion the way the brim curves down and bulges, the way the actual top curves in. And THOSE BALLS! or "hat pins." Ugh. 

Class

Hold on to your hats! Princess Michael is in the house! At first glance, it seems strange...no hat? But oh no, oh no, were we wrong, just do a little spin Marie Christine, and there we go- a petite pillbox!

I'll let you guys figure out the rest...

Pictures: The Daily Mail/Reuters/Zimbio/Richard Gillard

Royal Ascot: Day 3

It's Ladies Days at Royal Ascot, and *most* of the *royals* in attendance looked lovely.

Feathery Splendour


Ahh, trust Liz to come back roaring! The feathery hat wins it for me, and reminds me a lot of her mother's one at the wedding of Charles and Diana.

Okay, maybe not on the same feathery scale, but still..

Best New Royal Friendship!


Great to see Phil and Carole Middleton having fun and sharing a few laughs. Carole wore an outfit strikingly similar to the one her daughter wore to the river pageant.

The Ladies

Well it IS Ladies' Day, and they certainly showed up in their numbers. Bea in a so-so dress. Very detailed, but a bit all over the place. Eug played it so so very safe, and bland as well. Anne in my fav outfit of hers, even if it was just a repeat. I adore the lovely spring-like print- the purple and green complement each other so amazingly. The Countess of Wessex was very meh for me, but the hat managed to get her over the line.

And thank GOD for Princess Michael, or else I might have fallen asleep after Eug and Sophie! Got to love her for her signature flair!

And here's an adorable photo chucked in, as the ladies curtsey for the Queen-

Pictures: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor/Daily Mail/James Whatling

Programming: Camp

Sadly, due to a camp I will have to post the rest of Royal Ascot when I return on Friday. My apologies!!

Royal Ascot: Day 2

So as Royal Ascot rolls on in a penta-festival of joy, we look at who won....and failed on day two of the races. Not many royals today, by the way.

MOST ARGH MOMENT


This ticks me off. She was so close, so close! The "strawberry ice-cream colour is wonderful, the Centenary Rose Brooch is so pretty, the basic form of her outfit is fabulous, but the string!!! Why on earth?

That's right- be VERY scared Princess Alexandra.

The Great Redeemers 

Yes, yes I know that Sophie should have chosen a better fit, the colour of her outfit and that spectacular hat really bring her ensemble back up. In the dramatic hat tally, Countess of Wessex: 1, Duchess of Gloucester: 1. Sophie's skirt is echoed in Princess Anne's lovely outfit, with a beautiful flowing chiffon dress! And the print on her jacket is mesmerising. 

Best Carriage Rider-

I had to feed off scraps for the photos, but Princess Alexandra looked very spring-like in an outfit and hat inundated with floral decorations. Good to see her with her twice-related cousin as well! And will SOMEONE from the Royal Mews please give her a State Landau? 

Pictures: Daily Mail/Justin Goff

Royal Ascot: Day 1

Now this is not a royal fashion blog, but, apart from the horses, Royal Ascot is ALL about looks, so let's see who won the style stakes on day one.


Tied for First- QEII and Princess Anne


Oh gosh, doesn't she looks happy she came first? Thank god she didn't pull out one of her 80's repeats! The Princess Royal looked absolutely radiant in that marvellous outfit, complete with such a lovely hat- adore the colour!

Loved, loved LOVED The Queen's ensemble! What a lovely shade of cornflower blue, and the pattern of her hat is absolutely wonderful. The contrasts between her clothes and the grass just makes me dream of spring. Well played, your majesty.

The Thrift Handicap

My, my, QE doesn't look too delighted with the Duchess of Cornwall at her side...... Must be her repeat so soon after the Thanksgiving Service! Ah well, it is a good outfit, so carry on Cams!

Pure Elegance

That's right Eug, take note. Doesn't the Duchess of Gloucester look absolutely wonderful? Love the simple, elegant coat, and that dramatic hat! I actually don't mind the ruffles. Eugenie on the other hand...... that fabric draped over her shoulder won't cut it for the Royal Enclosure. 

Random Royal Moment: The Queen in Canada, 1957

In her first visit since the accession, The Queen filled out all the fashion and jewel stops on her visit to Canada in 1957. I won't go into any more detail, but I wanted to leave you with some jaw-dropping photos I haven't seen before, showing QE in her jewel-encrusted splendour. Courtesy from canada.com and Library and Archives Canada.

Wearing the George IV State Diadem and Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara

The Queen wearing The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara

And what a rare gem: The now dismantled Nizam Tiara 

Programming: Royal Ascot and Camp

Hey guys, so next week I shall be camping... sigh! Anyways, I WILL be posting Royal Ascot tomorrow- a week's wrap up. So stay tuned!

Royal Books: The Queen's Book of the Red Cross

If there's one royal tidbit of advice I can give, it's to op shop. Who can resist 2 dollar royal biographies, whilst also doing your bit to help charity?

Today, this golden nugget jumped out at me from the dusty shelves. Printed in 1939, this book, sponsored by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was intended to raise funds for the Red Cross during WWII. Fifty British authors and artists featured in the book, which includes a lovely photo of the QM by Cecil Beaton and a poignant handwritten letter by her. I'd buy it just for her fabulous handwriting and SIGNATURE. Gah! It looks too good a letter to have been mass-produced. I'll just keep dreaming'

NOTE: Sorry about the shadows, it's night time here!